Calvary Riverina Hospital has welcomed 13 nurses as part of its OnePlus Graduate Nurse Program. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
13 new graduate nurses have begun work at Calvary Riverina Hospital.
The university graduates assumed their new positions at the hospital through the Calvary OnePlus Graduate Nurse Program, which provides new nurses with a comprehensive education across multiple wards.
Calvary Riverina Hospital learning and development coordinator Crystal Marshman said the graduates were energetic and eager to learn before taking the next step in their careers.
“The Calvary OnePlus Graduate Program is a two-year program,” she said.
“The first year, the new nurses take on two, six-month rotations in different wards, while the second year is a discovery year. This is where they specialise in units they would like to do.”
Ms Marshman explained the program was about equipping graduates with the skills required to perform their new duties not only for their first couple of years but across their entire careers.
“The number of nurses we gain each year, we also lose each year,” she said.
Nine of the nurses completed their Bachelor of Nursing degrees at CSU while four nurses studied at TAFE NSW. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
“Nursing in general is such a tough gig; a lot of nurses by their fifth or sixth years start to burn out and begin to feel exhausted. While they are learning new things, we are trying to prepare them for later down the track. It’s not necessarily the first couple of years that we need to worry about, it’s the years afterwards.”
Calvary Riverina Hospital has maintained a high retention rate with its graduates, with nine out of 10 nurses from last year’s program being offered full-time positions in 2023. 14 out of 17 nurses from the 2022 program still have positions with the hospital today.
Among the new faces is Janaya Colgan who chose to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pursue nursing.
“I’ve always found myself leaning towards a career in nursing, like my mum,” she said.
“I am a very caring person, so this is a perfect role for me.
“During my studies, I was lucky enough to do a few placements at Calvary Riverina Hospital. Everyone here is so friendly and is always available to answer any questions you have.
“I knew it was going to be the perfect place to start my career.”
While the nurses settle into their new positions, the hospital is preparing to welcome its next lot of graduates in May.
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